August 2, 2013 | 9:58am ET

Contract negotiations between the St. Louis Blues and restricted free agent defenseman Alex Pietrangelo are ongoing, but they do not appear to be close to an agreement.

Pietrangelo, 23, recently wrapped up his three-year, entry-level contract and is reportedly looking for a long-term contract worth well north of $6 million per season.

On Thursday, the Blues signed veteran rearguard Jay Bouwmeester to a five-year, $27 million contract extension.

Shortly after the Bouwmeester extension was announced, many questioned why the Blues haven't already locked up Pietrangelo to a new deal.

With around $9 million in available salary cap space for the 2013-14 season, the Blues do not have much flexibility to re-sign Pietrangelo, RFA forward Magnus Paajarvi and potentially add other elements to the roster.

According to a source close to the organization, TFP has learned that Pietrangelo is seeking a similar contract to the eight-year, $56 million deal Drew Doughty signed a couple of years ago with the Los Angeles Kings.

Pietrangelo's numbers are similar to that of Doughty's first three in the NHL, and a similar contract would make him the highest-paid player on the Blues' roster.

In 47 games with the Blues this past season, Pietrangelo registered five goals and 19 assists for 24 points.